Engine mount system for a gas turbine engine

ABSTRACT

A gas turbine engine includes, among other things, a propulsor section including a rotor, a gear train, a low spool and a high spool. A static structure includes a first case and a second case. A mount system includes a forward mount and an aft mount arranged in a plane containing an engine axis of rotation. The forward mount is secured to the first case. The aft mount is secured to the second case.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present disclosure is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 16/405,149, filed May 7, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/173,288, filed Jun. 3, 2016, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/755,221, filed Jun.30, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/190,429, filed Feb. 26, 2014, which was a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/340,988, filed Dec. 30, 2011, whichwas a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/131,876, filed Jun. 2, 2008.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a gas turbine engine and moreparticularly to an engine mounting configuration for the mounting of aturbofan gas turbine engine to an aircraft pylon.

A gas turbine engine may be mounted at various points on an aircraftsuch as a pylon integrated with an aircraft structure. An enginemounting configuration ensures the transmission of loads between theengine and the aircraft structure. The loads typically include theweight of the engine, thrust, aerodynamic side loads, and rotary torqueabout the engine axis. The engine mount configuration must also absorbthe deformations to which the engine is subjected during differentflight phases and the dimensional variations due to thermal expansionand retraction.

One conventional engine mounting configuration includes a pylon having aforward mount and an aft mount with relatively long thrust links whichextend forward from the aft mount to the engine intermediate casestructure. Although effective, one disadvantage of this conventionaltype mounting arrangement is the relatively large “punch loads” into theengine cases from the thrust links which react the thrust from theengine and couple the thrust to the pylon. These loads tend to distortthe intermediate case and the low pressure compressor (LPC) cases. Thedistortion may cause the clearances between the static cases androtating blade tips to increase which may negatively affect engineperformance and increase fuel burn.

SUMMARY

A gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the presentdisclosure includes a core nacelle defined about an engine centerlineaxis, a fan nacelle mounted at least partially around the core nacelleto define a fan bypass airflow path for a fan bypass airflow, a geartrain defined along an engine centerline axis, the gear train defines agear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.3, a spoolalong the engine centerline axis which drives the gear train, the spoolincludes a three to six (3-6) low pressure turbine, and a fan variablearea nozzle axially movable relative to the fan nacelle to vary a fannozzle exit area and adjust a pressure ratio of the fan bypass airflowduring engine operation.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbineengine embodiments, the gear train may define a gear reduction ratio ofgreater than or equal to about 2.5.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbineengine embodiments, the engine may further include a controller operableto control the fan variable area nozzle to vary the fan nozzle exit areaand adjust the pressure ratio of the fan bypass airflow.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbineengine embodiments, the controller may be operable to reduce the fannozzle exit area at a cruise flight condition. Additionally oralternatively, the controller may be operable to control the fan nozzleexit area to reduce a fan instability.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbineengine embodiments, the fan variable area nozzle may define a trailingedge of the fan nacelle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbineengine embodiments, the gear train may drive a fan within the fannacelle.

In a further non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing gas turbineengine embodiments, the low pressure turbine may be a five (5) stage lowpressure turbine.

In a featured embodiment, a gas turbine engine comprises a gear traindefined along an axis. A spool along the axis drives the gear train andincludes a low stage count low pressure turbine. A fan is rotatable at afan speed about the axis and driven by the low pressure turbine throughthe gear train. The fan speed is less than a speed of the low pressureturbine. A core is surrounded by a core nacelle defined about the axis.A fan nacelle is mounted at least partially around the core nacelle todefine a fan bypass airflow path for a fan bypass airflow. A bypassratio defined by the fan bypass passage airflow divided by airflowthrough the core is greater than about ten (10).

In another embodiment according to the previous embodiment, the lowstage count includes six or fewer stages.

In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, thelow pressure turbine is one of three turbine rotors. The low pressureturbine drives the fan, while the other two of the turbine rotors eachdrive a compressor section.

In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, ahigh pressure turbine is also included, with each of the low pressureturbine and the high pressure turbine driving a compressor rotor.

In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, thegear train is positioned intermediate a compressor rotor driven by thelow pressure turbine and the fan.

In another embodiment according to any of the previous embodiments, thegear train is positioned intermediate the low pressure turbine and thecompressor rotor is driven by the low pressure turbine.

Although the different examples have the specific components shown inthe illustrations, embodiments of this invention are not limited tothose particular combinations. It is possible to use some of thecomponents or features from one of the examples in combination withfeatures or components from another one of the examples.

These and other features disclosed herein can be best understood fromthe following specification and drawings, the following of which is abrief description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following detaileddescription of the currently disclosed embodiment. The drawings thataccompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1A is a general schematic sectional view through a gas turbineengine along the engine longitudinal axis;

FIG. 1B is a general sectional view through a gas turbine engine alongthe engine longitudinal axis illustrating an engine static structurecase arrangement on the lower half thereof;

FIG. 1C is a side view of an mount system illustrating a rear mountattached through an engine thrust case to a mid-turbine frame between afirst and second bearing supported thereby;

FIG. 1D is a forward perspective view of an mount system illustrating arear mount attached through an engine thrust case to a mid-turbine framebetween a first and second bearing supported thereby;

FIG. 2A is a top view of an engine mount system;

FIG. 2B is a side view of an engine mount system within a nacellesystem;

FIG. 2C is a forward perspective view of an engine mount system within anacelle system;

FIG. 3 is a side view of an engine mount system within another frontmount;

FIG. 4A is an aft perspective view of an aft mount;

FIG. 4B is an aft view of an aft mount of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a front view of the aft mount of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a side view of the aft mount of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4E is a top view of the aft mount of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is a side view of the aft mount of FIG. 4A in a first slideposition; and

FIG. 5B is a side view of the aft mount of FIG. 4A in a second slideposition.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A illustrates a general partial fragmentary schematic view of agas turbofan engine 10 suspended from an engine pylon 12 within anengine nacelle assembly N as is typical of an aircraft designed forsubsonic operation.

The turbofan engine 10 includes a core engine within a core nacelle Cthat houses a low spool 14 and high spool 24. The low spool 14 includesa low pressure compressor 16 and low pressure turbine 18. The low spool14 drives a fan section 20 connected to the low spool 14 either directlyor through a gear train 25.

The high spool 24 includes a high pressure compressor 26 and highpressure turbine 28. A combustor 30 is arranged between the highpressure compressor 26 and high pressure turbine 28. The low and highspools 14, 24 rotate about an engine axis of rotation A.

The engine 10 in one non-limiting embodiment is a high-bypass gearedarchitecture aircraft engine. In one disclosed, non-limiting embodiment,the engine 10 bypass ratio is greater than about six (6), with anexample embodiment being greater than about ten (10), the gear train 25is an epicyclic gear train such as a planetary gear system or other gearsystem with a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.3 and the lowpressure turbine 18 has a pressure ratio that is greater than about 5.In one disclosed embodiment, the engine 10 bypass ratio is greater thanten (10:1), the turbofan diameter is significantly larger than that ofthe low pressure compressor 16, and the low pressure turbine 18 has apressure ratio that is greater than 5:1. The gear train 25 may be anepicycle gear train such as a planetary gear system or other gear systemwith a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.5:1. It should beunderstood, however, that the above parameters are only exemplary of oneembodiment of a geared architecture engine and that the presentinvention is applicable to other gas turbine engines including directdrive turbofans.

Airflow enters the fan nacelle F which at least partially surrounds thecore nacelle C. The fan section 20 communicates airflow into the corenacelle C to the low pressure compressor 16. Core airflow compressed bythe low pressure compressor 16 and the high pressure compressor 26 ismixed with the fuel in the combustor 30 where is ignited, and burned.The resultant high pressure combustor products are expanded through thehigh pressure turbine 28 and low pressure turbine 18. The turbines 28,18 are rotationally coupled to the compressors 26, 16 respectively todrive the compressors 26, 16 in response to the expansion of thecombustor product. The low pressure turbine 18 also drives the fansection 20 through gear train 25. A core engine exhaust E exits the corenacelle C through a core nozzle 43 defined between the core nacelle Cand a tail cone 33.

With reference to FIG. 1B, the low pressure turbine 18 includes a lownumber of stages, which, in the illustrated non-limiting embodiment,includes three turbine stages, 18A, 18B, 18C. The gear train 25operationally effectuates the significantly reduced number of stageswithin the low pressure turbine 18. The three turbine stages, 18A, 18B,18C facilitate a lightweight and operationally efficient enginearchitecture. It should be appreciated that a low number of stagescontemplates, for example, three to six (3-6) stages. Low pressureturbine 18 pressure ratio is pressure measured prior to inlet of lowpressure turbine 18 as related to the pressure at the outlet of the lowpressure turbine 18 prior to exhaust nozzle.

Thrust is a function of density, velocity, and area. One or more ofthese parameters can be manipulated to vary the amount and direction ofthrust provided by the bypass flow B. The Variable Area Fan Nozzle(“VAFN”) 42 operates to effectively vary the area of the fan nozzle exitarea 45 to selectively adjust the pressure ratio of the bypass flow B inresponse to a controller (not shown). Low pressure ratio turbofans aredesirable for their high propulsive efficiency. However, low pressureratio fans may be inherently susceptible to fan stability/flutterproblems at low power and low flight speeds. The VAFN 42 allows theengine to change to a more favorable fan operating line at low power,avoiding the instability region, and still provide the relativelysmaller nozzle area necessary to obtain a high-efficiency fan operatingline at cruise.

A significant amount of thrust is provided by the bypass flow B due tothe high bypass ratio. The fan section 20 of the engine 10 is designedfor a particular flight condition—typically cruise at about 0.8 Mach andabout 35,000 feet. The flight condition of 0.8 Mach and 35,000 ft, withthe engine at its best fuel consumption—also known as “bucket cruiseThrust Specific Fuel Consumption (‘TSFC’)”—is the industry standardparameter of 1 bm of fuel being burned divided by 1 bf of thrust theengine produces at that minimum point. “Low fan pressure ratio” is thepressure ratio across the fan blade alone, without the Fan Exit GuideVane (“FEGV”) system 36. The low fan pressure ratio as disclosed hereinaccording to one non-limiting embodiment is less than about 1.45. “Lowcorrected fan tip speed” is the actual fan tip speed in ft/sec dividedby an industry standard temperature correction of [(Tambient degR)/518.7){circumflex over ( )}0.5]. The “Low corrected fan tip speed” asdisclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is less thanabout 1150 ft/second.

As the fan blades within the fan section 20 are efficiently designed ata particular fixed stagger angle for an efficient cruise condition, theVAFN 42 is operated to effectively vary the fan nozzle exit area 45 toadjust fan bypass air flow such that the angle of attack or incidence onthe fan blades is maintained close to the design incidence for efficientengine operation at other flight conditions, such as landing and takeoffto thus provide optimized engine operation over a range of flightconditions with respect to performance and other operational parameterssuch as noise levels.

The engine static structure 44 generally has sub-structures including acase structure often referred to as the engine backbone. The enginestatic structure 44 generally includes a fan case 46, an intermediatecase (IMC) 48, a high pressure compressor case 50, a combustor case 52A,a high pressure turbine case 52B, a thrust case 52C, a low pressureturbine case 54, and a turbine exhaust case 56 (FIG. 1B). Alternatively,the combustor case 52A, the high pressure turbine case 52B and thethrust case 52C may be combined into a single case. It should beunderstood that this is an exemplary configuration and any number ofcases may be utilized.

The fan section 20 includes a fan rotor 32 with a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced radially outwardly extending fan blades 34. Thefan blades 34 are surrounded by the fan case 46. The core engine casestructure is secured to the fan case 46 at the IMC 48 which includes amultiple of circumferentially spaced radially extending struts 40 whichradially span the core engine case structure and the fan case 46.

The engine static structure 44 further supports a bearing system uponwhich the turbines 28, 18, compressors 26, 16 and fan rotor 32 rotate. A#1 fan dual bearing 60 which rotationally supports the fan rotor 32 isaxially located generally within the fan case 46. The #1 fan dualbearing 60 is preloaded to react fan thrust forward and aft (in case ofsurge). A #2 LPC bearing 62 which rotationally supports the low spool 14is axially located generally within the intermediate case (IMC) 48. The#2 LPC bearing 62 reacts thrust. A #3 fan dual bearing 64 whichrotationally supports the high spool 24 and also reacts thrust. The #3fan bearing 64 is also axially located generally within the IMC 48 justforward of the high pressure compressor case 50. A #4 bearing 66 whichrotationally supports a rear segment of the low spool 14 reacts onlyradial loads. The #4 bearing 66 is axially located generally within thethrust case 52C in an aft section thereof. A #5 bearing 68 rotationallysupports the rear segment of the low spool 14 and reacts only radialloads. The #5 bearing 68 is axially located generally within the thrustcase 52C just aft of the #4 bearing 66. It should be understood thatthis is an exemplary configuration and any number of bearings may beutilized.

The #4 bearing 66 and the #5 bearing 68 are supported within amid-turbine frame (MTF) 70 to straddle radially extending structuralstruts 72 which are preloaded in tension (FIGS. 1C-1D). The MTF 70provides aft structural support within the thrust case 52C for the #4bearing 66 and the #5 bearing 68 which rotatably support the spools 14,24.

A dual rotor engine such as that disclosed in the illustrated embodimenttypically includes a forward frame and a rear frame that support themain rotor bearings. The intermediate case (IMC) 48 also includes theradially extending struts 40 which are generally radially aligned withthe #2 LPC bearing 62 (FIG. 1B). It should be understood that variousengines with various case and frame structures will benefit from thepresent invention.

The turbofan gas turbine engine 10 is mounted to aircraft structure suchas an aircraft wing through a mount system 80 attachable by the pylon12. The mount system 80 includes a forward mount 82 and an aft mount 84(FIG. 2A). The forward mount 82 is secured to the IMC 48 and the aftmount 84 is secured to the MTF 70 at the thrust case 52C. The forwardmount 82 and the aft mount 84 are arranged in a plane containing theaxis A of the turbofan gas turbine engine 10. This eliminates the thrustlinks from the intermediate case, which frees up valuable space beneaththe core nacelle and minimizes IMC 48 distortion.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the mount system 80 reacts the engine thrustat the aft end of the engine 10. The term “reacts” as utilized in thisdisclosure is defined as absorbing a load and dissipating the load toanother location of the gas turbine engine 10.

The forward mount 82 supports vertical loads and side loads. The forwardmount 82 in one non-limiting embodiment includes a shackle arrangementwhich mounts to the IMC 48 at two points 86A, 86B. The forward mount 82is generally a plate-like member which is oriented transverse to theplane which contains engine axis A. Fasteners are oriented through theforward mount 82 to engage the intermediate case (IMC) 48 generallyparallel to the engine axis A. In this illustrated non-limitingembodiment, the forward mount 82 is secured to the IMC 48. In anothernon-limiting embodiment, the forward mount 82 is secured to a portion ofthe core engine, such as the high-pressure compressor case 50 of the gasturbine engine 10 (see FIG. 3 ). One of ordinary skill in the art havingthe benefit of this disclosure would be able to select an appropriatemounting location for the forward mount 82.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the aft mount 84 generally includes a first A-arm88A, a second A-arm 88B, a rear mount platform 90, a whiffle treeassembly 92 and a drag link 94. The rear mount platform 90 is attacheddirectly to aircraft structure such as the pylon 12. The first A-arm 88Aand the second A-arm 88B mount between the thrust case 52C at casebosses 96 which interact with the MTF 70 (FIGS. 4B-4C), the rear mountplatform 90 and the whiffle tree assembly 92. It should be understoodthat the first A-arm 88A and the second A-arm 88B may alternativelymount to other areas of the engine 10 such as the high pressure turbinecase or other cases. It should also be understood that other framearrangements may alternatively be used with any engine case arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 4D, the first A-arm 88A and the second A-arm 88B arerigid generally triangular arrangements, each having a first link arm 89a, a second link arm 89 b and a third link arm 89 c. The first link arm89 a is between the case boss 96 and the rear mount platform 90. Thesecond link arm 89 b is between the case bosses 96 and the whiffle treeassembly 92. The third link arm 89 c is between the whiffle treeassembly 92 rear mount platform 90. The first A-arm 88A and the secondA-arm 88B primarily support the vertical weight load of the engine 10and transmit thrust loads from the engine to the rear mount platform 90.

The first A-arm 88A and the second A-arm 88B of the aft mount 84 forcethe resultant thrust vector at the engine casing to be reacted along theengine axis A which minimizes tip clearance losses due to engine loadingat the aft mount 84. This minimizes blade tip clearance requirements andthereby improves engine performance.

The whiffle tree assembly 92 includes a whiffle link 98 which supports acentral ball joint 100, a first sliding ball joint 102A and a secondsliding ball joint 102B (FIG. 4E). It should be understood that variousbushings, vibration isolators and such like may additionally be utilizedherewith. The central ball joint 100 is attached directly to aircraftstructure such as the pylon 12. The first sliding ball joint 102A isattached to the first A-arm 88A and the second sliding ball joint 102Bis mounted to the first A-arm 88A. The first and second sliding balljoint 102A, 102B permit sliding movement of the first and second A-arm88A, 88B (illustrated by arrow S in FIGS. 5A and 5B) to assure that onlya vertical load is reacted by the whiffle tree assembly 92. That is, thewhiffle tree assembly 92 allows all engine thrust loads to be equalizedtransmitted to the engine pylon 12 through the rear mount platform 90 bythe sliding movement and equalize the thrust load that results from thedual thrust link configuration. The whiffle link 98 operates as anequalizing link for vertical loads due to the first sliding ball joint102A and the second sliding ball joint 102B. As the whiffle link 98rotates about the central ball joint 100 thrust forces are equalized inthe axial direction. The whiffle tree assembly 92 experiences loadingonly due to vertical loads, and is thus less susceptible to failure thanconventional thrust-loaded designs.

The drag link 94 includes a ball joint 104A mounted to the thrust case52C and ball joint 104B mounted to the rear mount platform 90 (FIGS.4B-4C). The drag link 94 operates to react torque.

The aft mount 84 transmits engine loads directly to the thrust case 52Cand the MTF 70. Thrust, vertical, side, and torque loads are transmitteddirectly from the MTF 70 which reduces the number of structural membersas compared to current in-practice designs.

The mount system 80 is compact, and occupies space within the corenacelle volume as compared to turbine exhaust case-mountedconfigurations, which occupy space outside of the core nacelle which mayrequire additional or relatively larger aerodynamic fairings andincrease aerodynamic drag and fuel consumption. The mount system 80eliminates the heretofore required thrust links from the IMC, whichfrees up valuable space adjacent the IMC 48 and the high pressurecompressor case 50 within the core nacelle C.

It should be understood that relative positional terms such as“forward,” “aft,” “upper,” “lower,” “above,” “below,” and the like arewith reference to the normal operational attitude of the vehicle andshould not be considered otherwise limiting.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment 200, wherein there is a fan drive turbine 208driving a shaft 206 to in turn drive a fan rotor 202. A gear reduction204 may be positioned between the fan drive turbine 208 and the fanrotor 202. This gear reduction 204 may be structured and operate likethe gear reduction disclosed above. A compressor rotor 210 is driven byan intermediate pressure turbine 212, and a second stage compressorrotor 214 is driven by a turbine rotor 216. A combustion section 218 ispositioned intermediate the compressor rotor 214 and the turbine section216.

FIG. 7 shows yet another embodiment 300 wherein a fan rotor 302 and afirst stage compressor 304 rotate at a common speed. The gear reduction306 (which may be structured as disclosed above) is intermediate thecompressor rotor 304 and a shaft 308 which is driven by a low pressureturbine section.

The foregoing description is exemplary rather than defined by thelimitations within. Many modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. The disclosedembodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one ofordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modificationswould come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims, the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For thatreason the following claims should be studied to determine the truescope and content of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A gas turbine engine comprising: a propulsorsection including a rotor having a plurality of blades; an epicycle geartrain; a low spool and a high spool rotatable about an engine axis ofrotation, the low spool including a low pressure compressor and a lowpressure turbine, the high spool including a high pressure turbine thatdrives a high pressure compressor, and wherein the low pressure turbinedrives the propulsor section through the gear train; a combustor betweenthe high pressure compressor and the high pressure turbine; a staticstructure that supports a bearing system upon which the low pressure andhigh pressure turbines, the low pressure and high pressure compressorsand the rotor rotate, wherein the static structure includes a pluralityof cases, and the plurality of cases includes a first case and a secondcase positioned aft of the first case with respect to the engine axis ofrotation; and a mount system including a forward mount and an aft mountarranged in a plane containing the engine axis of rotation, wherein theforward mount is secured to the first case, the aft mount is secured tothe second case, and the aft mount comprises: a rear mount platformmountable to an aircraft structure, wherein the aft mount reacts atleast a vertical load and a side load in operation; a whiffle treeassembly including a whiffle link supporting a first sliding ball jointand a second sliding ball joint; a first A-arm mounted to the rear mountplatform through a first ball joint and the whiffle tree assemblythrough the first sliding ball joint; and a second A-arm mounted to therear mount platform through a second ball joint and the whiffle treeassembly through the second sliding ball joint.
 2. The gas turbineengine as recited in claim 1, wherein the aft mount is configured so asto not be connected to the first case by any thrust links when the gasturbine engine is mounted.
 3. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim1, wherein the second case is a thrust case, the aft mount is secured toa mid-turbine frame at the thrust case, and the mid-turbine frame isaxially between the low pressure turbine and the high pressure turbinerelative to the engine axis of rotation.
 4. The gas turbine engine asrecited in claim 3, wherein the aft mount reacts a thrust vector of athrust load along the engine axis of rotation at the second case inoperation.
 5. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 4, wherein thefirst case is an intermediate case.
 6. The gas turbine engine as recitedin claim 5, wherein the aft mount includes a drag link that reacts atorque load about the engine axis of rotation in operation, and the draglink includes a pair of ball joints mounted to the thrust case and therear mount platform.
 7. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 6,wherein the forward mount reacts a vertical load and a side load inoperation.
 8. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 7, wherein thewhiffle link is rotatable about a central ball joint attached to theaircraft structure, and the aircraft structure is a pylon.
 9. The gasturbine engine as recited in claim 7, wherein: the first and secondA-arms mount between the thrust case at case bosses; the first andsecond A-arms each include a first link arm, a second link arm and athird link arm; the first link arm is between a respective one of thecase bosses and the rear mount platform; the second link arm is betweenthe respective one of the case bosses and the whiffle tree assembly; thethird link arm is between the whiffle tree assembly and the rear mountplatform; and the first and second A-arms transmit a thrust load to therear mount platform in operation.
 10. The gas turbine engine as recitedin claim 9, wherein the aft mount is configured so as to not beconnected to the first case by any thrust links when the gas turbineengine is mounted.
 11. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 10,wherein: the forward mount includes a shackle arrangement which mountsto the intermediate case at two points; and the whiffle tree assemblyreacts only a vertical load in operation.
 12. The gas turbine engine asrecited in claim 11, wherein the low pressure turbine is a three to sixstage turbine.
 13. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 12,wherein the bearing system includes a pair of bearings which rotatablysupport the low and high spools, and the pair of bearings are supportedwithin the mid-turbine frame.
 14. The gas turbine engine as recited inclaim 13, wherein the pair of bearings straddle radially extendingstructural struts preloaded in tension.
 15. The gas turbine engine asrecited in claim 14, wherein the bearing system includes a first bearingwhich rotationally supports the rotor, and the first bearing is a dualbearing preloaded to react a thrust load in operation.
 16. The gasturbine engine as recited in claim 15, wherein the bearing systemincludes: a second bearing which rotationally supports the low spool; athird bearing which rotationally supports the high spool; and whereinthe second and third bearings react a thrust load in operation and areaxially located within the intermediate case relative to the engine axisof rotation.
 17. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 16, whereinthe bearing system includes: a fourth bearing that rotationally supportsa rear segment of the low spool and reacts a radial load in operation; afifth bearing that rotationally supports the rear segment of the lowspool and reacts a radial load in operation; wherein the fourth bearingis axially located within the thrust case relative to the engine axis ofrotation; and wherein the fifth bearing is axially located aft of thefourth bearing within the thrust case relative to the engine axis ofrotation.
 18. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 1, wherein: theplurality of cases includes an intermediate case, a combustor case, ahigh pressure turbine case, a thrust case, a low pressure turbine case;and the intermediate case includes a multiple of circumferentiallyspaced radially extending struts.
 19. The gas turbine engine as recitedin claim 18, wherein the aft mount reacts a thrust vector of a thrustload along the engine axis of rotation at the second case in operation.20. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 19, wherein: the firstand second A-arms mount between the second case at case bosses; thefirst and second A-arms are generally triangular arrangements eachincluding first, second and third link arms; the first link arm isbetween a respective one of the case bosses and the rear mount platform;the second link arm is between the respective one of the case bosses andthe whiffle tree assembly; and the third link arm is between the whiffletree assembly and the rear mount platform.
 21. The gas turbine engine asrecited in claim 20, wherein the aft mount includes a drag link, and thedrag link includes a pair of ball joints mounted to respective ones ofthe thrust case and the rear mount platform.
 22. The gas turbine engineas recited in claim 21, wherein the first and second A-arms transmit athrust load to the rear mount platform in operation.
 23. The gas turbineengine as recited in claim 22, wherein the drag link reacts a torqueload about the engine axis of rotation in operation.
 24. The gas turbineengine as recited in claim 23, wherein the aft mount is configured so asto not be connected to the first case by any thrust links when the gasturbine engine is mounted.
 25. The gas turbine engine as recited inclaim 24, wherein the low pressure turbine is a three to six stageturbine.
 26. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 25, wherein thefirst case is a high pressure compressor case.
 27. The gas turbineengine as recited in claim 25, wherein the second case is a turbineexhaust case.
 28. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 27, whereinthe high pressure turbine includes two stages.
 29. The gas turbineengine as recited in claim 28, wherein the low pressure compressor andthe low pressure turbine include an equal number of stages.
 30. The gasturbine engine as recited in claim 29, wherein the low pressurecompressor includes four stages.